2016 August Pender Post

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Despite the weather the island seems to be full of tourists! The Visitor Information Centre has been open now about 6 weeks and has been quite steady with guests from around the world looking for ideas for things to do, trails to hike/walk, places to see and where to eat on our paradise island! With just a handful of volunteers we’ve been giving out as much information as possible. It’s really important to ensure we are well stocked with your cards and brochures if you have paid racking fees for the year! The Information Kiosk across from Tru Value is a great source of info when the Visitor Centre is closed so it’s important to have supplies at both locations. You can drop off with Anna at Western Financial or at the Visitor Centre Mon, Wed or Friday between 10am – 4pm. The racking fees are $25 for cards, $50 for brochures and $60 for both. You can sign up at the Visitor Centre or online. We are located beside the Flower Shop so please feel free to drop in and check us out! If you’d like to help with volunteering we’d love to have a few more people to lighten the schedule load, just 2 or 3 hours a couple of times a month!
All members of the Chamber are invited to bring your promotional material to the Chamber table at the market. We have a table until the end of August and there is a steady stream of people that come by. It is a great opportunity to promote your business to both Island residents and visitors.
The 2nd Annual Tour Des Iles was June 24-26 and once again was very successful. Close to 350 people purchased travel passes and went Island hopping. I’m happy to report that Pender Island was the most organized this year with volunteer dock greeters, welcome packages and 4 vans to move people around the island! So many people were impressed with how friendly and helpful our island was! Great job everyone! We are already planning next year’s event with the date being June 23-25, 2017. All the Southern Gulf Island Chambers are involved and we’d like to give more opportunity for our members to participate as well next year! Pender Island coordinators are already looking for volunteers for various committees such as entertainment, fundraising, marketing, volunteer coordination and more! Lots of opportunity to showcase your business and all that Pender has to offer!
While the Chamber board is taking a summer break from meetings doesn’t mean they aren’t coming up with great ideas for the Fall, Winter and Spring. Watch for information on special networking events, lunch & learns and possibly a trade show in the spring! If you have any ideas or suggestions we want to hear from you so drop us a line by email or call.
Our Southern Gulf Island Regional Consortium Experience the Southern Gulf Islands is doing a great job of marketing the Islands with another great article in the Vancouver Sun and an ad in a new publication called the Pearl which you can pick up on the ferry. There is also a special promotional package being offered to Chamber members for a professional video to help promote your business on and off the island. Details have been emailed to our membership. Great things are happening in our Chambers!
Happy August everyone! You can contact the Chamber by email at info@penderislandchamber.com, phone 250-999-6371 or drop by the Visitor Information Centre beside the flower shop!
Melody Pender Administrator, Pender Island Chamber